DAZZA had some big, big wins on the punt.
Big ... and not just at the TAB but down at Crown Casino as well.
Really they needed to be big to help wallpaper over the massive
black holes gambling car ved in his finances, but somewhere along the way
something else went missing as well.
Even the big wins didn't cut it any more in providing thrill, joy or
fulfilment in the hollow his life had become.
Big wins meant big losses, and his losses reached far beyond his hip pocket.
Dazza is fictional but his story rings true times over.
Geelong's Bethany Gamblers Help co-ordinator Bec Henderson has
met mirror images of his story plenty of times during her work piloting a
pioneering program building early intervention links and referral pathways
between problem gamblers and the right help.
e campaign catchline is Everybody gambles right? Its publicity artwork
deliberately shows young people because the target age group zeroe's on
the mid-20s and not upward in age but down to as low as 15.
at's when problems can start through addiction to lures like routine
poker and on-line games.
One per cent of adults are problem gamblers, but the figure jumps to up to
four per cent for people aged between 15 and 25.
Mrs Henderson says they're often young men living at home or sharing
houses, without mechanisms like mortgage commitments to slow them
down or make them think again. She says the real consequences of young
gambling habits are only starting to become apparent.
"It's a very new area of research, there's not a lot out there but it's
starting to build,' ' she says."So much more needs to be done in this area.' '
e reasons have become stark as she has spoken to more than 100 young
Geelong region men caught in gambling vortexes in many different settings.
ey've talked about feeling trapped, about the all-or-nothing nature of
their habit, about constantly borrowing money, losing jobs, losing mates.
"As the problem increases they gamble alone ... all of their friends have
left the pub and they're still there,' ' she says.
Some told of being unable to see a future and alluded to a fragile line
in health and wellbeing. Sixty per cent of the gamblers Bec Henderson
interviewed reported feeling anxiety or depression. Sixteen per cent had
thought about suicide.
"Just think, 16 per cent got into enough trouble to think about ending it.
at's really concerning to me,' ' she says.
Problem gambling can often be obscuring, or pointing to, other issues
including drug or alcohol abuse or mental health concerns.
Bethany's program was one of two Victorian pilots and ran for a year in
partnership with regional alliance G21 and with $100,000 support from
the Victorian Justice Department.
Its leaders have rated it an outstanding success and Bethany chief
executive Grant Boyd hopes to see the Baillieu Government maintain
funding support, perhaps under the umbrella of a new Victorian
Responsible Gambling Foundation.
"We think there's a strong case for this to be rolled out on a state basis,' '
Mr Boyd says.
Agencies including headspace, Barwon Youth, Time for Youth and Deakin
University, the Gordon Institute and Geelong Technical Education Centre
have supported the Bethany program in its ground-breaking work.
Bethany mobilises counsellors, financial counsellors, community
educators and venue support workers in its mission.
Bec Henderson suspects Geelong's gambling problem is more acute than
the average and one of the things which has struck her most is the tenacity
of its grip.
People have told her of having recognised people in the grip but not
known where to turn. Bethany and partners have constructed a pathway to
support and hope it endures.
PEOPLE wanting to talk about gambling can call 5278 8122 or
1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Bethany Gamblers Help co-ordinator
Bec Henderson... 60 per cent of the
gamblers she interviewed reported
feeling anxiety or depression.
Photograph: Glenn Ferguson
A local organisation's ground-breaking work with
young gamblers is paving the way for statewide
support programs. DANNY LANNEN reports
TOM is 24 and works as a chef.
He started gambling on the
pokies three years ago with
friends as a way to wind down
after work before heading home
to his wife and two kids.
He plays with more and more
money, hoping to have a big win
to help out with the bills.
Tom's wife doesn't know
he is gambling but suspects
something is going on because
Tom is often irritable, home late
and complains about feeling
stressed.
AARON is 20 and started
gambling on AFL games two
years ago.
He bets big, following a
system he has developed, and
drinks during games to help
ease anxiety about losing
thousands of dollars.
Aaron has dropped out of
his TAFE course because he
struggles to concentrate. His
mates don't want to be around
him any more because all he
talks about is gambling.
MICHAEL is 18 and has been
gambling since he was 14.
His dad and uncle are into the
horses and placed bets for him
until he turned 18.
Michael is struggling to find
a job after Year 12. It was fun to
have free time at first but all his
friends got jobs and got busy or
moved away.
He is lonely and becoming
depressed. Visiting the TAB fills
his day and he hopes he can win
big so he won't need to look for
work.
CASE STUDIES
Our Place - the Geelong Region Magazine 47